The sky still hung torn above Valoria, a wound of violet fire stretching from horizon to horizon.
No devils spilled from it today.
Not a single roar.
Not a single shadow.
But the kingdom of mankind knew one truth:
Silence is the most terrifying sound after war.
Royal Decree — The Akari Selection Begins
The bells of the capital hammered through every stone path and cracked window.
BONG— BONG— BONG—
Citizens gathered in the square below the citadel.
Ash still clung to roofs.
Blood stains hadn't washed away.
Children held the hands of survivors like last threads of sanity.
And then — a scroll was raised.
A herald with a voice amplified by mana declared:
"By command of the Crown, and under the guidance of Nero Halbrecht—
the Akari Order shall be reborn.
All who wish to stand against the coming night — step forward.
Your world needs you, now."
For the first time since the massacre, the people looked upward with hope.
Lucius, Rowan, and Michael stood among the volunteers — bruised, unsteady, but present.
Training Grounds — Day 1 of the New Akari
A thousand recruits gathered beneath grey clouds.
No devils around, but every soul trained like death watched from the sky-rift itself. Steel rang. Boots thundered. Hearts trembled but refused to break.
The recruits straightened as General George Aetheron stepped onto the platform.
Not a king, not a mage— a warrior whose reputation alone could quiet storms.
Armor blackened by years of battle, Hair like steel wire and a gaze that could stop a charging beast. He spoke with a calm yet firm voice-
"Strength is not power nor it is your ability . Its your mindset and your will." "No one is born as strongest neither weakest, it is on the individual how do they look upon themselves as a either a hero or failed character"
His voice cut through marrow ."You stand here to become Akaris.
And Akaris are not born— They are broken, then rebuilt."
Rowan whispered: "Why does he sound like he wants us to die for fun?"
Lucius exhaled slow and looking towards Michael. Michael swallowed—hard knowing his brother was always like that.
Bells rang.
Gates opened.
Recruits poured into the Blackridge Ravine,
a maze of broken stone, steep climbs, and harsh winds.
They were to run.
No magic allowed.
No stopping.
No time limit—only survival.
The ground tore boots.
Cold chewed at skin.
People collapsed, vomited, crawled.
Lucius ran silent.
Face emotionless, steps measured like a metronome.
Rowan ran like a beast unleashed—
breath loud, muscles burning, eyes wild with challenge.
Michael fell.
Twice.
Three times.
But every time he rose again,
Rowan grabbed him by sleeve,
Lucius matched pace beside him—not helping but never leaving.
"Just keep moving." Lucius murmured.
"Even crawling is progress."
Michael nodded, teeth gritted: "I... won't be the one to fall first."
Hours later—
Only half remained. Bodies trembled. Feet bled.
George watched with no pity:
"Pain is a language.
If you cannot speak it—leave."
Two hundred broke.
Walked away in shame.
Lucius watched them go—eyes quiet, unreadable.
Rowan spat grit and sweat,
After the results were declared,
the surviving recruits gathered around a fire to breathe,
to rest . Lucius, Rowan, Michael sat with a group which was beside them.
Lucius noticing them , " Each one of them looks like unique species on earth"
Rowan (grinning, cocky tilt to his head):
"Stay here. If we're going to survive this hell, we'll need friends.
Preferably ones who don't die in the first five minutes."
Before either could respond, Rowan strode off—confident, almost charismatic despite his ragged clothes. Lucius watched him go, half amused, half worried.
The group he approached consisted of five recruits—different builds, different faces, united only by shared uncertainty.
Rowan stopped in front of them like a performer stepping into spotlight.
Rowan: "So—who wants to tell me your names before we become legends together?"
They all stared at him. Confused. Uncertain.
A long-haired boy with sleepy eyes and dimples stepped forward, tapping Rowan's shoulder.
Aris(lazily): "You're bold. I like that. I'm Aris Vantrell—good with blades, terrible with waking up early."
Tyla: "Don't listen to him. He'll forget your name before breakfast." She crossed her arms.
David:
"David zenn ! Are you here to fight... lets go"
Rowan (laughs): "You look like you eat rocks for breakfast."
David: "Only on weekends."
Rowan ( astonished) : "What do you mean 'only weekends'!"
Finn: "U-Uh... Finn Redwood. I heal. Mostly. When the patient isn't too broken."
Rowan froze—eyes widening.
Rowan: "We have a healer?! I adopt you. You're mine now."
Finn coughed, panicked. Talia smacked Rowan's arm.
Tyla: "Stop scaring him, barbarian."
Rowan turned back to where Michael and Lucius stood watching.
He waved them over. The trio stepped into the circle—the moment quiet, charged, like six sparks were waiting for one more to become flame.
David stepped forward, arms crossed.
David: "Your turn. Names."
Rowan pointed dramatically.
Rowan:
"That moody one—Lucius.
That exhausted one—Michael.
And me? Rowan Vance. Remember the name. You'll be shouting it one day."
Aris (smirking):
"We'll shout it when you trip on your own feet."
Everyone laughed.
Lucius found himself smiling—not forced, but real.
For the first time since Valoria's ruin, something warm stirred inside him.
And then—
He Saw Her
Not dramatic. Not loud.
Just a glimpse—yet it hit harder than any blade.
A pretty girl across the field, hair like moonlit silver, eyes like dawn breaking through fog.
Calm and beautiful charming vibes ...
Selene Valeheart.
Lucius' breath caught.
Rowan nudged him, smirk forming.
Rowan (soft teasing whisper):
"You're staring, Lucius."
Lucius (trying to look away):
"I—just noticed she's... good."
Tyla (overhearing, elbowing him):
"Good? Please. She fights like poetry with a knife."
Michael looked between them, deadpan.
Michael:
"Lucius is blushing."
Lucius:
"I am not."
The entire group laughed—and in that laughter, Lucius felt a wound inside him ease.
David yawned, pointed at Lucius and said:
"Hey... Delicious, pass the bread."
The whole group froze.
Rowan, choking: "DE-LI-CIOUS?!"
Tyla blinked: "His NAME is Lucius."
David nodded casually:
"I know. But he looks delicious."
Lucius: "...What."
David leaned closer with sparkling innocence:
"I just wanna eat him."
Everyone stepped back six inches simultaneously.
Rowan: "HELL NO— we are stopping this conversation right now."
Finn whispering: "Is he a demon or just stupid?"
Aris : "Both. Probably."
Lucius stared, horrified and blushing slightly.
And just like that—
they became a group.
Not by fate.
Not by prophecy.
But by chaos, humor, and shared future.
The first sparks of friendship gleamed in the ashes of war.